Thai soldiers criticize Chinese-made VT-4 tank

Defence affairs - Def-Geopolitics

Thai tank crews operating the VT-4 main battle tank have raised sharp criticism over the platform’s reliability during real-world operations, citing repeated mechanical failures and design shortcomings encountered during active use, according to multiple accounts from serving personnel.

Soldiers and officers familiar with the tank’s operation report that the VT-4 has suffered from frequent malfunctions during both training and operational deployments. These complaints focus on failures observed under sustained use rather than isolated incidents, with crews describing problems that directly affected operational readiness.

Among the most serious concerns raised by operators is the performance of the main gun during prolonged firing. Tank crews report that barrel durability becomes an issue after extensive live-fire use in the field, particularly when the number of rounds fired exceeds what they describe as safe operational limits during ongoing missions. Electronic systems and the engine have also been described as prone to malfunction, with crews reporting intermittent failures that complicate field operations.

Thai tank crews report repeated mechanical and system failures on the VT-4 during operational use, while older platforms such as the M60 Patton and T-84BM Oplot-T are viewed as more reliable.

The Royal Thai Army has confirmed that a VT-4 tank was damaged after sustained live firing, with the cause under technical investigation.